West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin Announces Run For Robert Byrd's Senate Seat

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin says he will run for the U.S. Senate to fill the late Robert C. Byrd's unexpired term.

Manchin's announcement Tuesday ended speculation about whether the popular Democratic governor would forgo the last years of his second term for a chance to serve the last two-plus years of Byrd's term.

The governor's announcement came Tuesday after he and legislative leaders resolved their differences over the succession process.

The legislation calls for an Aug. 28 primary and Nov. 2 general election for the seat.

The winner of that election would take over from Carte Goodwin, Manchin's temporary appointee to the seat. The 36-year-old former chief counsel takes his oath of office Tuesday.

Comments

[henrypapillon]

10:14 AM on 07/21/2010

Go, JOE !

[Imzadi]

07:44 AM on 07/21/2010

I think Gov. Manchin is doing the right thing. Appoint a temporary replacement for Byrd, and then run for the seat on his own merits. Excellent strategy.

[Jacqueline R]

03:44 AM on 07/21/2010

Well, I am glad he chose to run. At least it would mean a Democrat in that seat.

[lindaj3884]

03:24 AM on 07/21/2010

I am so glad Gov Manchin decided to run for the seat. I am sure he will do a wonderful job.

[Hard2kill]

02:48 AM on 07/21/2010

Good for democrats... Go Joe, go..

[Jacob W]

02:20 AM on 07/21/2010

Joe Manchin has a 77% approval rating in his state, I think it's a safe bet he'll be their next senator. Hopefully he'll be a good senator for West Virginia.

[Opygollopy]

12:23 AM on 07/21/2010

Good. He has taken a stance on the Coal Industry in his state. He is really pissed at the lack of safety and disregard for workers rights. He just may make a difference. He was with the Coal Miners and their families all along. I hope it was not just for show.

[orianna]

12:31 PM on 07/21/2010

Where'd you hear that? He was flown by private jet from Massey to those poor little ole coal miners deathbeds.... He did as little as he could for them without compromising the typical 'we West Virginians know how to sacrifice' strategy for the mass buy in.

[papasnow]

10:59 PM on 07/20/2010

Give me a minute to remember where I placed the "surprised expression" for my face.

[GeorgieGirl9]

03:48 PM on 07/20/2010

Shocked! That he set things up so he would be in the best position to win regardless of what was best for the Citizens of W.VA.

[Stella2]

03:28 PM on 07/20/2010

Why didn't he wait till 2012 and run. He could have finished his Governor post, he placed his former counsel in the seat, what is his hurry? This will cost WV a bunch of money for this special election, doesn't he care?

[papasnow]

11:03 PM on 07/20/2010

I suspect he didn't wait till 2012 to run because he didn't think he could win in 2012. Someone competent might show up before then.

[lindaj3884]

03:25 AM on 07/21/2010

From the right? Don't hold your breath. There aren't any competent ones.

[henrypapillon]

10:16 AM on 07/21/2010

That is the price for democracy. We have to pay for the elections.

[miketothad]

03:16 PM on 07/20/2010

You're a good man, Senator.

[den1953]

03:09 PM on 07/20/2010

He would make a great Senator for WV!

[scooperss]

02:47 PM on 07/20/2010

I live in WV and I've tried and tried and cannot think of even one thing I can say that manchin has done for the state.

Although I did see him at the Lilly reunion for the photo op.

[henrypapillon]

10:17 AM on 07/21/2010

So? We can't do anything because you have trouble thinking.

[mediamarv]

02:35 PM on 07/20/2010

Daily Kos has an intersting story about how Dems caved to GOP in the upcoming special election, even tho WV has a Dem gov and Dem legislature.
Dems just can't help themselves from being doormats.

[kaw0606]

01:43 PM on 07/20/2010

I live in WV and can NOT stand Manchin. Won't vote for him, Wish he'd just go away.

[henrypapillon]

10:18 AM on 07/21/2010

Too bad.Have you ever considered a southern state like maybe Mississippi?